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Work Breakdown Structure

The document discusses different approaches to breaking down the scope of a project, including the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Product Breakdown Structure (PBS), and Scope Breakdown Structure (SBS). The WBS breaks work into tasks and subtasks, while the PBS focuses on deliverables. The SBS uses noun phrases to break scope into discrete components at the top levels and activities at lower levels.

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Rohit Nain Srk Georgian
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
301 views

Work Breakdown Structure

The document discusses different approaches to breaking down the scope of a project, including the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Product Breakdown Structure (PBS), and Scope Breakdown Structure (SBS). The WBS breaks work into tasks and subtasks, while the PBS focuses on deliverables. The SBS uses noun phrases to break scope into discrete components at the top levels and activities at lower levels.

Uploaded by

Rohit Nain Srk Georgian
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 11

1

Project Management PMBOK

t le
Ti

Work Breakdown Structure


(WBS)
Dr Marc Conrad
Office: D104 Park Square
[email protected]

20.02.15

Marc Conrad
University of Bedfordshire

Project Management Processes


(Initiation)
Project Management Pla
Initiation
Scope
WBS
(definition)
Project Charter
e
Scop
t
c
e
j
Pro
ent
m
e
t
a
St

Cost

Time

Human Resources

(estimates, )

(activity diagrams, )

(RACI matrix, )

Also to consider: Quality, Risk,


Communication, Procurement, Integration
(PMBOK knowledge areas)

The Work Breakdown Structure in the


PMBOK

From the file


ITO2008.ppt

The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

S
WB

Used as a basis for a number of processes in


particular to produce the subsidiary plans of the
Project Management Plan.
The WBS is a deliverable-oriented hierarchy of
decomposed project components that organises
and defines the total scope of the project. The WBS
is a representation of the detailed project scope
statement that specifies the work to be
accomplished by the project.
The elements comprising the WBS assist the
stakeholders in viewing the end product of the
project.
The work at the lowest-level WBS component is
estimated, scheduled, and tracked.

20.02.15

Marc Conrad
University of Bedfordshire

The Dictionary of the WBS

S
WB

A WBS dictionary is a companion document to the


WBS that describes each WBS element. For each WBS
element, the WBS dictionary includes a statement of
work, a list of associated activities, and a list of
milestones.
Other information can include the responsible
organisation, start and end dates, resources required,
an estimate of cost, charge number, contract
information, quality requirements, and technical
references.
WBS elements should be cross-referenced as
appropriate.

20.02.15

Marc Conrad
University of Bedfordshire

Redecorate Room
Prepare materials

Example WBS

S
WB

Prepare room

20.02.15

Buy paint
Buy a ladder
Buy brushes/rollers
Buy wallpaper remover
Remove old wallpaper
Remove detachable decorations
Cover floor with old newspapers
Cover electrical outlets/switches with tape
Cover furniture with sheets

Paint the room


Clean up the room

Dispose or store left over paint


Clean brushes/rollers
Dispose of old newspapers

Marc ConradRemove covers


University of Bedfordshire

Developing the WBS

S
WB

Divide the total work of the project into


major groups...
...then subdivide these groups into
tasks...
...then divide these tasks into sub-tasks
Subtasks should be small enough to
permit adequate control and visibility
But avoid excess bureaucracy!

20.02.15

Marc Conrad
University of Bedfordshire

Product Breakdown Structure


Redecorated Room

S
PB

Focus on the product


to be delivered and not
on the work to do.
Underpins PRINCE2
product-based
approach.

20.02.15

Removed old wallpaper


Clean room
Cover for furniture
Cover for electrical
switches
Newspapers to cover
floor.
Paint
Paint on wall
Leftover paint
Management products
Ladder
Brushes and rollers

Marc Conrad
University of Bedfordshire

Scope Breakdown Structure


(Max Widemans approach)

S
SB

Geographically discrete components


Time based phases and stages
Intermediate or final major deliverables
Discrete structural, process, system or device
components
Deliverable elements that can be associated
with distinctive types of people-skills or
resources
After that, break down the work as in the WBS

Recommended
Reading!
20.02.15

http://www.maxwideman.com/musings/wbswar.htm
Marc Conrad
University of Bedfordshire

10

Scope Breakdown Structure


(Max Wideman redecorates a room)

Redecorated Room

Painted wall

S
SB

Note the noun


phrases on the top
levels (scope
breakdown) and
the activities on the
lower levels!

New curtains

Content Family

A clean room

Cover floor with old newspapers


Cover electrical outlets/switches with tape

Cover furniture with sheets

Dinner in a restaurant

20.02.15

Buy paint
Buy ladder
Buy brushes or rollers
Paint room

Decision on colours

Marc Conrad
of
University
Bedfordshire

10

11

Summary

ary
mm
Su

The WBS is used to define the


activities that are then further
managed.
Consider alternatives:

Work Breakdown Structure


Product Breakdown Structure
Scope Breakdown Structure

Use Common Sense in Breakdown the


Project.

20.02.15

Marc Conrad
University of Bedfordshire

11

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